The battlefield still smoked when Ivy stumbled from the fortress gates, her breathing ragged, her limbs trembling.
She had seen many things since this war began.
But never this.
The Bone King had looked at her not as a foe.
But as a mirror.
She could still hear his voice inside her head. Not just words—but truth. Twisting through her thoughts like poisoned silk.
“Your soul is the key.”
Kael caught up with her, blood streaked across his armor, a gash across his brow.
“Ivy,” he panted, grabbing her shoulders. “You’re shaking.”
“I think I know why he hasn’t killed me yet.”
Kael blinked. “Because you’re powerful. You’re the prophecy.”
“No,” she whispered. “It’s deeper than that. He doesn’t just want to destroy me. He wants to use me.”
Kael’s jaw locked. “Not happening.”
But Ivy tu
